Hoping for a seamless transition

The recent congressional election demonstrated sharp differences about which policies will help pull southern New Mexico out of poverty – and the deficits of health care, education and jobs which drive it. And they certainly exposed disagreement about how to mitigate the imminent damage of human-induced climate change and end the boom and bust fossil fuel roller coaster ride.

Divided as they were over policy, Xochitl Torres-Small and her shadow opponent, long-time incumbent Steve Pearce, share much in common when it comes to people. She has a record of helping constituents on behalf of Senator Udall; he has a network of multiple offices and staff who assist constituents to make the federal government more accessible, transparent and responsive.

Before Congressman Pearce possibly assumes new duties with the New Mexican Republican Party, he has an opportunity to leave a legacy of concern for all of the people in the Second District: He should insist that his staff review every request for assistance, finish helping as many people as possible before he leaves office, and fully organize and document every request which remains open.

The Armed Forces in which both Congressman Pearce and I served place a high priority on professionalism upon leaving an assignment and smoothing the transition for the new person assuming those responsibilities. Despite distinct differences in policy I hope that outgoing Congressman Pearce and incoming Congresswoman Torres-Small will coordinate a seamless transition in constituent services to the people they were elected to serve.

Peter M. Ossorio, Las Cruces

Trump creates doubt in U.S. leadership

Iran’s oil production in 2017 was about 1 billion barrels — with the majority going to Southeast Asia—mainly China. Since sanctions were lifted in 2016, it started to sell crude oil to Europe. Trump has now put sanctions back on Iran oil sales. Will it be successful? I and others doubt it will. Trump has frustrated our European allies and instigated a trade war with China. On the world market, oil is a commodity, meaning there are trivial differences about where it comes from.

Just to spite Trump and his boorish behavior, most countries will find a way around these sanctions. In a recent survey, seven in 10 people around the world have no confidence in Trump’s leadership. In France, only 9% have confidence in him. Black markets will thrive.

Trump will claim sanctions are working--but I will bet that one year from now, Iran will have similar oil sales it has today. Trump denying CIA conclusions that the Saudi crown prince was responsible for the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi will only add to this mistrust.

What if the U.S. has a serious international incident — will the rest of the world come to our assistance?